Auburn will play Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve

AUBURN, Alabama -- It'll be a relatively short drive for most Auburn fans to see their Tigers in a bowl game this year.

Auburn will play in Atlanta against surprise guest Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve at 6 p.m. Central .

Auburn is 7-5. Virginia is 8-4.

The Cavaliers jumped into the Chick-fil-A picture Sunday after Clemson beat Virginia Tech for the ACC championship Saturday night. Clemson, considered Auburn's likely opponent before winning the ACC title, is going to the Orange Bowl, and Virginia Tech, also in the running for the Chick-fil-A received a BCS at-large bid Sunday to the Sugar Bowl. The Chick-fil-A then fell in Virginia's lap.

Virginia beat, among others, Miami, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Maryland. The Cavaliers lost to North Carolina, Southern Miss, N.C. State and Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech beat Virginia 38-0 in the Cavaliers' last game.

Virginia head coach Mike London was named the ACC coach of the year by the league last week.

This will be Auburn's fifth trip to the Chick-fil-A Bowl and first appearance since defeating Clemson, 23-20 in overtime in 2007.